FreeLists / az-observing / [AZ-Observing] Re: ISS/STS-121 pass -- Freeware to track it

["Rick Tejera" <saguaroastro@xxxxxxx>]

Gene,

I use a freeware program called Satscape by Scott Hather Similar features to
the program you mentioned but designed for windows. Check it out at:

http://www.satscape.co.uk/ 


Rick Tejera 
President 
Editor SACnews
Saguaro Astronomy Club
Phoenix, Arizona
saguaroastro@xxxxxxx
www.saguaroastro.org


-----Original Message-----
From: az-observing-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:az-observing-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of gene lucas
Sent: Friday, July 07, 2006 11:11 PM
To: az-observing@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [AZ-Observing] Re: ISS/STS-121 pass -- Freeware to track it

Heavens-Above is a great, convenient free source of satellite pass info.
You can select any worldwide location, and even customize for a favorite
place.  Gives the predicted Iridium flares, too.  (Probably the best URL for
that.)

A good "freeware" to download for tracking and predicting satellite passes
is STS-Plus, by Dr. David Ransom of Sedona.  It allows you to display a
track map (projected on the Earth's surface) for any given satellite, using
the updated TLEs (Two-Line Elements, the Keplerian data needed to calculate
an orbit).  This is a DOS program that was originally written for NASA's
command centers.  It opens up on your PC in a Windows menu, works great.  I
have used it effectively with the public Astronomy Day display at the
Arixona Science Center for a number of years.

It also features an "alarm" mode that will "beep" when the selected
satellite comes within range.  Also allows computing the proper
doppler-shifted radio frequencies (for ham radio communications).

Here's the URL:
http://www.dransom.com/

There are multiple web sites listed there for downloading the TLE ephemeris
data.  (Note that any tracking program will need updated TLEs, especially
for the Space Shuttle (which maneuvers, of course).

Have fun!
Gene Lucas
(17250)

Rick Tejera wrote:

>Jimmy,
>You can get the most current orbital elements from Heavens-Above. 
>
[older stuff snipped, to please the NET NANNY -- I always get bit by
over-quoting!!  GAL]

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